Contract Review Committee asks Fairwinds for written explanation after opioid-settlement spending shift
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Summary
The committee deferred approval of Fairwinds' quarterly report on opioid-settlement funds, asking the provider to submit a written explanation of a changed spending plan and to appear at a future meeting with supporting documentation.
The Contract Review Committee on Oct. 31 asked Fairwinds, a local behavioral health provider, to document and explain an apparent change in its use of opioid-remediation settlement funds and to appear before the committee before the next meeting.
The request came after committee members reviewed Fairwinds' quarterly report and found the organization reported activity that differed from the grant award. The grant, as awarded, had been for peer recovery coaches intended for concentrated support in the first quarter; the quarterly report showed expenditure pacing and program activity that the committee said looked more like a plan spread across the fiscal year and included supports for uninsured clients and payroll subsidy. Committee members described that pattern as inconsistent with the scope described in the original award.
Chair Veronica Bolchick said the committee expects grantees to notify the town and request permission when they intend to repurpose awarded grant funds. Committee members asked for a written request from Fairwinds that explains why the schedule and use of funds changed, lists any other funding sources that were lost or reduced, details planned program activities and a reimbursement schedule, and identifies the staff who will be responsible for the revised activities.
Town staff indicated that the grant dollars originate from the opioid-remediation settlement (an allocation source that requires due diligence on allowable uses). Town administrator Jericho Maly said staff will need to review whether the revised uses align with the settlement terms and that this review may take additional consultation with the finance team.
The committee voted to ask Fairwinds to submit the requested documentation and to appear at the next meeting with the executive director or other staff who can explain the change. The motion was moved and seconded and passed on a roll-call vote.
Committee members indicated they were not ruling out approval but said they want a written explanation and an in-person discussion before consenting to any plan that differs materially from the original grant award. The committee also asked the town to send a formal written request and to schedule Fairwinds for the next available meeting.
